Wind Turbine Tower Cable Loop Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for installing high voltage power cables in wind turbine towers face challenges with increased cable diameters, leading to stiffness and space constraints, making it difficult to store and transport the necessary overlength of cable.
Innovation Solution
A method involving forming a cable loop within the tower with a specific angle between the cable loop plane and the tower's longitudinal direction, allowing for a greater vertical extent of the cable loop, which is adaptable and orthogonal to the tower's axis, enabling efficient storage and transportation of high voltage power cables with diameters up to 200 mm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the cable diameter is increased to support higher power output, then the power carrying capacity is improved, but the cable becomes stiffer and requires increased bending radius, making it difficult to store and install within the tower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the cable storage problem from a horizontal plane (coiling on platform) to a vertical dimension (loop within tower). By forming a cable loop with specific orientation (normal angle of 70°-110° to tower longitudinal direction), the cable is arranged vertically within the tower structure, utilizing the tower's height to accommodate the loop. This dimensional change allows the stiff, large-diameter cable to be stored within the tower without requiring horizontal coiling space on the platform.
2Length of moving object
If the cable is coiled on the uppermost platform to provide sufficient overlength, then the cable length requirement is met, but the platform space becomes insufficient for larger diameter cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves cable storage from the horizontal platform surface to the vertical tower interior. The cable loop is formed within the tower with its plane oriented at 70°-110° to the tower's longitudinal direction, effectively using the tower's vertical space rather than the platform's horizontal area. This allows sufficient cable overlength to be accommodated without occupying platform space.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable loop is nested within the tower structure, utilizing the existing tower volume for cable storage. The loop configuration allows the cable to be contained within the tower's internal space, with the loop's orientation ensuring it fits within the tower's cross-sectional dimensions while providing the required cable length.
3Strength
If the cable is made stiffer to maintain structural integrity, then the cable strength is improved, but the minimum bending radius increases, requiring more space for cable installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accommodates the increased bending radius requirement by transitioning to vertical space utilization. The cable loop is formed with its normal oriented at 70°-110° to the tower longitudinal direction, creating a configuration where the loop's diameter (related to bending radius) fits within the tower's cross-section while the loop's vertical extent utilizes the tower's height. This allows stiff, large-diameter cables to be installed without requiring excessive horizontal space.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method of installing a power cable in a wind turbine tower, in particular for transportation, the method including: arranging a section of the cable within the tower, the section having a length, in particular by at least an upper excess cable por-tion, greater than the tower height, by forming a cable loop within the tower, wherein an angle enclosed between a normal of a cable loop plane and the longitudinal direction of the tower is between 70° and 110°.